Willis McCaster and Cedric Washington, both 24, are charged with murdering Reed and wounding four other young men. Two of them, Justin Thompson and Jerry Young III, both 18 at the time of the shootings, have joined Johnnie Reed as plaintiffs.

Shortly after midnight, prosecutors say two carloads of young men, who are known to be associated with a gang called the Wild Boyz, backed into spaces in the northeast corner of the parking lot. McCaster and Washington, each wielding pistols, walked up to the cars and opened fire, then fled on foot down an alley, according to court documents.

Prosecutors say the attack was part of a string of shootings in retaliation for the November 2004 death of WashingtonÂ?s half-brother, Brian Pope. Authorities have said they do not believe Reed was involved in PopeÂ?s death.

Johnnie Reed declined to be interviewed for this story. But her attorney, Daniel H. Pfeifer, said the business has long been a trouble spot.